‘So much torture,” said Timmy, draped face-down over a chair. “I can’t take it.”

What could have caused my 7-year-old such misery? Was it creamed spinach? Multiplication facts? The dreaded eat-your-dinner-or-there-will-be-no-dessert reminder?

No. I had asked him to put away his clean laundry, which he had only just finished helping me fold. The poor baby.

Tim and his brother are usually fairly eager to help out around the house, especially since I implemented a system that ties chores to their allowances. They’d never had an allowance before, and were somewhat skeptical about earning it.

They warmed to the idea dramatically, however, when I explained that many of the tasks they routinely did, like putting away laundry, or helping to set and clear the dinner table, would count toward their daily “chore point.”

“So, if I put away all my toys and books, does that count?” asked 8-year-old Brian.

“Yes,” I answered.

“What about bringing the laundry downstairs?” he asked.

“Of course,” I said.

“How about doing homework?” asked Timmy.

“Don’t push it,” I warned.

“Sorry,” he said with a sheepish grin.

We’ve been working with the new allowance system for a couple of weeks now. Despite some occasional grumbling, both boys are pitching in to help around the house. Many hands make light work, and while the house is far from spotless, it has certainly improved, with the efforts of the entire family.

That is payoff enough for me, but the kids are in it for the money. Payday always makes them happy, and I’m pleased that the kids are learning important lessons in life skills, developing a work ethic, and handling money responsibly.

I’ll admit I’ve been feeling pretty self-satisfied with my little system. The children aren’t always thrilled to complete a chore, but usually a reminder that it will “count” is enough to spur them onward. I was met with a rather strong reaction from Timmy last week, however, when I urged him to do a small task one morning.

“Tim, please clear off your things from the table before we have to go to school,” I prodded.

“I don’t want to,” he said, unusually petulant.

“It will count for your chore point,” I reminded him.

“So?” he asked, sullenly.

“Well, OK, if you don’t want to earn money for your allowance,” I said.

He sat on the couch for a moment more, and then slowly dragged himself across the room toward the table.

“Man,” he said, “chores SUCK!”

I immediately went into indignant mother mode. “What did you say, young man?”

Page 2 of 2 - “Chores stink.”

“That’s not what you said. You said a bad word. We don’t say that in our family.”

“But it’s true,” he argued.

He had me there. But indignant mothers can never condone such language.

“You’re allowed to not like chores,” I said, “and you can even say they stink, but don’t let me hear you say that other word again, ever.”

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

I have to hand it to him: chores aren’t my favorite, either. I’d even go so far as to agree that they stink. But financial success for the kids – and a clean house for all of us – smell pretty sweet.